USP-E0314 - Capstone Project, Lecture, 5.9.2023-5.12.2023

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will develop:

  • Capabilities for creative conception in urban scale, problem– and possibility-based thinking
  • Expertise in urban design related assessment
  • Knowledge of societal and environmental responsibilities

Students will demonstrate:

  • Creative thinking and judgment capability
  • Teamwork capacity
  • Creative production
  • Communication and presentation skills

Credits: 5 - 12

Schedule: 05.09.2023 - 05.12.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Antti Ahlava

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The Capstone project brings together students from different backgrounds to work together in teams, contributing their respective expertise and skills to solve real-world challenges. It also provides the students with a realistic task related to the topical framework of the USP programme, where projects usually span multiple disciplines and require team-based efforts to create a solution. The Capstone Project sets focus on supporting the students to learn in an environment that matches a real working environment. The set-up of the project is a tight integration between research and practice and can lead into a master thesis project. Capstone projects can be in close collaboration with cities, business partners or other parties, or can be initialised and set up through a student initiative. 

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Varies according to topic. The main task will be a productive, creative work in the sphere of urbanism. Normally the task is an urban design assignment, which will be evaluated by its architectural quality (spaces, massing, relationship to context, spatial programming, creativity, feasibility). Smaller analysis tasks are assessed by their insight, usability and creativity. Content regarding other disciplines than architecture or landscape architecture can be evaluated based on their field-specific criteria, depending on the availability of a competent teacher. The speciality of USP Capstone course is to support students’ self-motivation in defining their actual tasks. The exact criteria for the main task will be decided its aims have been formulated in interaction between a student and a teacher. This self-choice is the so-called capstone feature in this final stage course.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    5-12 ECTS = 135-324 h work (1 ECTS = 27 h work). Incl. 39 contact hours (66,25 h work): 6h lectures (6 h work) + 18 h seminars (54 h work) + 2,5 h tutoring (6,25 h work) and 68,75-257,75 h individual work (22,92-85,92 h work). The course equals usually 12 ECTS, unless alternative study events by other teachers will be organised with smaller workload. The course is suitable also for students in the Master Programme of Architecture as a studio course (18 ECTS), with sufficient additional work. For master students in landscape architecture, the course can be recorded as a studio course MAR-E1031 Monialainen projekti 10-15 ECTS, where landscape architecture students participate in (studio)courses in other subjects and act as if they were landscape architecture consultants.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    1 No Poverty

    3 Good Health and Well-being

    4 Quality Education

    5 Gender Equality

    6 Clean Water and Sanitation

    7 Affordable and Clean Energy

    8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    14 Life Below Water

    15 Life on Land

    16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn I - II
    2023-2024 Autumn I - II

    Enrollment :

    Max 30 students

    Priority order to courses is according to the order decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts

    Registration in Aalto University Sisu.
    Minimum amount of students: 6. Maximum amount of students: 20.

Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof